TomTom GO 740 LIVE coming soon to the US
updated 03:00 pm EDT, Wed April 1, 2009
TomTom GO 740 LIVE in US
TomTom announced on Wednesday that its first Internet-connected navigation device, the 4.3-inch touchscreen GO 740 LIVE, is now available in the US. The device can deliver real-time traffic information that includes accident reporting and road closures, fuel prices, weather information and a Local Search powered by Google that lets users find local businesses and shops. In addition, the device uses TomTom's IQ Routes technology that uses historical data collected from other TomTom users to gauge more realistic transit times, taking into account traffic patterns at different times of the day, traffic lights and more. When a problem is detected, the unit automatically offers users an alternate route.
The TomTom GO 740 LIVE also has voice recognition capabilities, allowing drivers to use one of more than 130 voice commands to make phone calls through their paired Bluetooth-capable phones, plan their route, or adjust volume and screen brightness. The TomTom Buddies feature lets users send instant messages and share each other's locations with other TomTom GO users.
The 2GB of internal flash memory is pre-loaded with TeleAtlas maps of the US and Canada, while a microSD memory card slot allows for more storage. Photos from digital cameras can be viewed or stored on the device via the memory card slot. The integrated battery is rated at 3 hours of life.
The TomTom GO 740 LIVE will be available for purchase in mid-April, with prices set at nearly $400. Three months of LIVE services are included in the purchase price (with subsequent months priced at $10).
